[Pollution.notice] FW: INITIAL / Pinellas / Natural Gas Leak / DEM-Baker

[Pollution.Notice]

From: Schrader, John
Sent: Tuesday, January 3, 2017 2:07 PM
To: local at tampabay.com; rhughes at wfla.com; tips at wtsp.com; news at wtvt.com; newstips at wfts.com
Cc: cjustice at pinellascounty.org; mwoodard at pinellascounty.org; george.cretekos at myclearwater.com; william.horne at myclearwater.com
Subject: FW: INITIAL / Pinellas / Natural Gas Leak / DEM-Baker

As of December 30, 2016, an Administrative Law Judge invalidated a proposed pollution notification rule promulgated by the Department, which required owners of installations throughout the State of Florida report pollution events to the local government as well as a local media outlet to notify the general public of the event. Protecting Florida's pristine environment is our top priority and DEP will continue the public pollution notification process to ensure all Floridians and visitors are notified of pollution incidents. Moving forward the notification process from the Department may change, however it was imperative that the notification to the public continued seamlessly. The incident below was reported to the State Watch Office and is being forwarded to you because the event has occurred in your area. For more information or should you have any questions, please contact Lauren Engel at Lauren.Engel at dep.state.fl.us<mailto:Lauren.Engel at dep.state.fl.us>

Thank you,

John Schrader
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Regulatory Programs
3900 Commonwealth Boulevard
Tallahassee, FL 32399
Phone (850) 245-2144



Florida Division of Emergency Management

State Watch Office Incident Report


Main Information


Report #: 2017-79


Status: Open


Reported to SWO on: 1/3/2017   13:41 ET


Severity: Local Incident


Description: Natural Gas Leak


This situation involves: Hazardous Materials, Population Protection Actions


Affected Sectors: DEP OER Tampa - Day, Underground Utilities and Propane Releases


Initial Report: Clearwater FD is investigation a natural gas release. The release is from an underground pipeline that was damaged during construction work. The leak is causing a backup in the sewer system. Two blocks of Harn Blvd have been closed off. Fire units are walking the area checking storm drains, manholes, and houses for signs of gas. Two homes have been evacuated. It is unknown how many people were in the homes or where they are staging. No injuries were reported. No state assistance is requested.


Injuries: No


Fatalities (Unconfirmed by State Medical Examiner): No


Environmental impact: Yes

  DEP callback requested: No


Incident Occurred: 1/3/2017   12:47 ET


Most Recent Update Date/Time: 01/03/2017-13:54 ET


Most Recent Update: N/A


Affected Counties: Pinellas


Facility Name or Description:


Incident Location: Address: 2300 Harn Blvd City: Clearwater


Coordinates: Lat: 27.950268, Long: -82.74188


Maps


[Map1]

[Map2]


Contact Information


Reporting Party: Name: Alexia, Pinellas 911 |Call Back Number 1: 727-588-4761 |Address:


Responsible Party: Unknown


On-Scene Contact: Unknown


Population Protection Actions


Sub-Type: Evacuation Order


Situation: Active


Description: Evacuation


Impacted area: Area around mail location


Department/Agency issuing the order: Clearwater Fire Department


Duration of the order: Unknown


Number of residences impacted: 2


Total number of individuals impacted: Unknown


Hazardous Materials


Sub-Type: Toxic Industrial Chemical


Situation: Active, release in progress


Description: Natural Gas


Chemical Name: Natural Gas


Chemical State: Gas


Source / Container: Underground Pipeline


Diameter of the Pipeline: Unknown


Quantity released: Unknown


Released: Outside environment


Cause of release: Pipe broken during construction


Storm drains affected: Yes, contained to storm drain


Waterways affected: No


Major roadways closed: Yes





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